Destination suggestions for South America??

I'm going on vacation in South America with a couple friends at the end of this coming January!I'll be going for a month and a half approximately.

We have a general outline of what we want to do and where we want to go, but I haven't really made any suggestions to my two friends.

We plan on going to Chile for a bit, stopping in Peru for a while (Machu Picchu!) and some other countries in the vicinity. I believe we'll be checking out the Amazon for a week as well, which I'm stoked for!

Any awesome attractions/places I should be made aware of before I go? Any suggestions are welcome!

I'm definitely looking forward to Peru and Machu Picchu the most. I've wanted to go there since I was a kid.I think we'll be in peru for a week before we do the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu so I'll definitely mention those towns and we'll check em out for a bit.Hiking is kinda my thing so I'm excited for that.

I've heard many great things about Cuenca, Ecuador. For one thing it's known as a college town. There's also a number of expats retired there. Plus I've heard it's incredibly affordable for foreigners.

If you are visiting Machu Picchu, you might want to consider Lake Titicaca which isn't too far from there. La Paz, Bolivia is quite a spectualar sight. And of course, Rio de Janiero is quite beautiful and hot, hot, hot. Be sure to visit a Samba College.

I'm definitely looking forward to Peru and Machu Picchu the most. I've wanted to go there since I was a kid.I think we'll be in peru for a week before we do the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu so I'll definitely mention those towns and we'll check em out for a bit.Hiking is kinda my thing so I'm excited for that.

I'll be sure to check out that website too. Thanks again!

I'm glad to hear you're doing the four day trek to Machu Picchu. It's so much more fulfilling that seeing it on a day trip by bus.

This whole area is really special. I loved every minute of it. Go visit the Sacred Valley while you're there. Visit the Pisac market, the little village of Ollontaytambo, and leave plenty of time for Cusco.

If you need a recommendation for a lodge in the Amazon, look at http://www.muyuna.com/. That's who I went with and I was not disappointed. The price was reasonable, the guide was really good, and the lodge was rustic and peaceful.

I have lots of information about Peru I'll be happy to share. Just message me if you like.

There's Kaieteur Falls in Guyana (the only English speaking country). It's the world's tallest single drop falls and it's absolutely beautiful. The actual falls (and the surrounding area) is nice but I'm not sure if you'd like Guyana as a whole. That's where I'm from and it's not very gay-friendly.

I would combine a trip to Argentina and Brazil. If there is one spot you must absolutely visit, it has to be Iguassu Falls. I honestly have to say it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited!

Go to Cartagena in Colombia. It's one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the entire continent. You'll see some of the most amazing Spanish architecture ever, have the Caribbean and the beach at your disposal, and you can go back claiming to have gone somewhere in South America that is still off the beaten path and not a total tourist trap. BTW, don't be swayed by negative biases toward Colombia. It is one of the friendliest and safest places for tourists to visit in S. America.

kandsk saidBuenos Aires is the best bargain of world cities! I can't wait to have the opportunity to go there.

I learned Spanish (or some version of it) in Buenos Aires in 2002, and it was a smokin' bargain then. On my last visit (last December), I found the prices were pretty much comparable to visiting a similar city in the US. :-( But it's a fun city, and the people are beautiful. I haven't been to Iguazu, but I have been to the glaciers in Patagonia and really enjoyed it.

I'm definitely looking forward to Peru and Machu Picchu the most. I've wanted to go there since I was a kid.I think we'll be in peru for a week before we do the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu so I'll definitely mention those towns and we'll check em out for a bit.Hiking is kinda my thing so I'm excited for that.

I'll be sure to check out that website too. Thanks again!

I'm glad to hear you're doing the four day trek to Machu Picchu. It's so much more fulfilling that seeing it on a day trip by bus.

This whole area is really special. I loved every minute of it. Go visit the Sacred Valley while you're there. Visit the Pisac market, the little village of Ollontaytambo, and leave plenty of time for Cusco.

If you need a recommendation for a lodge in the Amazon, look at http://www.muyuna.com/. That's who I went with and I was not disappointed. The price was reasonable, the guide was really good, and the lodge was rustic and peaceful.

I have lots of information about Peru I'll be happy to share. Just message me if you like.

Oh man I forgot to say thanks for all this hahaEspecially that link.

I'll defs message you for info about Peru if I need/want to know a bit more about the place from someone who's been there.